Scarlet fever – symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, complications

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Scarlet fever, also known as scarlet fever, is an infectious disease caused by group A streptococci, the bacteria Streptococcus pyogenes. Although scarlet fever is considered a childhood disease, it can also affect adults. Usually the disease is mild, but in some cases it may be severe. Sometimes there are complications as well. How can you get infected with scarlet fever? What are the symptoms of the disease, its diagnosis and treatment?

What is scarlet fever?

Scarlet fever (aka scarlatina) is a bacterial disease that was common in the future and was a serious childhood disease with a severe course and high mortality. Today, thanks to the availability of antibiotics, scarlet fever is less common and easier to treat. The disease most often affects children between 5 and 15 years of age, and rarely in children younger than 3 years of age. As for adults, parents of schoolchildren and other people who come into frequent contact with children are primarily at risk of infection.

According to the data of the National Institute of Hygiene, in recent years there have been from a dozen to over twenty thousand cases of scarlet fever in Poland per year. In 2019, 20838 cases were recorded, in 2017 there were 16432 cases, and in 2015 – 26749.

Also read: Infectious diseases of childhood

How is scarlet fever caught?

The infection leading to the development of scarlet fever is caused by the same streptococci that also cause strep throat, i.e. Streptococcus pyogenes. These bacteria live in the nose and throat, so the easiest way to get them is by droplets. Carriers of infection spread pathogens by sneezing and coughing.

You can therefore get scarlet fever by inhaling the infectious material, touching bacterial surfaces and then the nose or mouth, and drinking from the same glass or eating from the same plate as the infected person. Another way of getting infected is by touching the skin lesions caused by scarlet fever in a sick person.

What are the symptoms of scarlet fever?

In people who have been in contact with the bacteria that cause scarlet fever, first symptoms usually develop within 2-5 days. Initially, there is a fever (38 degrees C or more), a sore throat, and enlarged cervical lymph nodes. Sometimes these symptoms are also accompanied by chills, nausea, vomiting and stomach pain. A white coating appears on the patient’s tongue in the initial stage of the disease. After a few days, you may experience a symptom called raspberry tongue – it becomes swollen and red, and its surface is uneven.

Reddening of the throat and tonsils as well as painful swallowing are also observed in the course of scarlet fever. A day or two from the onset of the disease, it manifests itself a rash characteristic of scarlet fever. It may initially appear in the neck, armpits, and groin, and may spread over time to other areas of the body. The rash is pink or red in color and feels like sandpaper.

The rash accompanying scarlet fever does not appear on the face, but in sick people it appears visible redness of the cheeksthe area around the mouth remains pale. During the recovery stage, which usually occurs after 7 days, the rash begins to disappear. However, in the groin area, as well as the fingers and toes, there is some peeling of the skin, which may last for several weeks.

How is scarlet fever diagnosed?

Scarlet fever is one of the many infectious diseases that manifest as a sore throat and rash. In order to diagnose scarlet fever, the doctor pays attention to the clinical symptoms, assessing, inter alia, rash and appearance of the tongue. However, confirmation of group A streptococci as the cause of infection requires quick tests by taking a swab from the throat. The detection of bacteria is an indication to prescribe antibiotics to the patient. It is also possible to culture the bacteria from a throat specimen – this may be indicated for adults who are tested negative with a rapid test and whose symptoms suggest scarlet fever.

Check also: Acute sore throat – symptoms, causes, treatment

Scarlet fever – treatment

Treatment of scarlet fever is based on the use of antibiotics, which not only help to fight the disease, but also make the patient stop being infected within XNUMX hours. The use of antibiotics shortens the duration of the disease, alleviates symptoms and prevents complications. In antibiotic therapy, mainly penicillin and amoxicillin are used. In the case of patients allergic to penicillin antibiotics, treatment with macrolides is possible.

During treatment with antibiotics, patients may resort to other measures to alleviate the symptoms of the disease. It is recommended that:

1. drink cool liquids;
2. in case of a sore throat, eat meals that will not irritate the mucous membranes and allow you to swallow more easily;
3. the use of painkillers, which will additionally reduce the fever (e.g. paracetamol), but remember that children and adolescents under the age of 16 should not be given aspirin;
4. reaching for preparations that relieve itching, e.g. antihistamines or lotions / calamine lotions.

Scarlet fever – complications

Complications from scarlet fever are uncommon, but may occur if the bacteria reach other areas of the body than those originally affected. Among the most common are:

1. rheumatic fever;
2. pneumonia;
3. acute glomerulonephritis;
4. otitis media;
5. sinusitis;
6. skin infections;
7. arthritis;
8. ulcerative tonsillitis;
9. meningitis.

These complications may occur during the infection, but also in the following weeks. People who have not received treatment are at a higher risk of their occurrence.

Is scarlet fever while pregnant?

There are no reports to suggest that scarlet fever in pregnancy may be a threat to your baby. However, if the infection is active during labor, there is a risk of the baby becoming infected. In the case of scarlet fever in a pregnant woman antibiotic treatment is usually safe. Women after childbirth should exercise particular caution. If the bacteria that cause scarlet fever spreads into the genital area, there is a risk of serious, even life-threatening infections.

Read also:

1. How to strengthen the body to better protect it against infections?
2. Itchy skin – causes, treatment
3. Abdominal rash and the course of infectious diseases. How do you recognize the cause of a rash?

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